Brother

“‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’  The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’  Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:36-37).

The Good Samaritan (David Teniers the Younger)

I have been reflecting on the terrible shooting that occurred recently in Bondi...

During that very terrible time, a whole range of people died.  Not only were they people who were predominantly of the Jewish community, who were celebrating their own Feast Day, but passers-by of a variety of different faiths and backgrounds also died.  One of the shooters also died.

I knew some people who had been spending the day at Bondi when the shooting occurred.  When they first realised the danger, they ran for their lives, carrying their young children and took shelter in a stranger’s home, as the stranger welcomed them into their home to wait out the disaster.

Listening to that story I have been reflecting on the community that was created in that crisis on that day.  People who would never have asked a stranger into their home had no problem inviting strangers inside to stay safe.  And strangers who would never walk into the home of another person who they did not know and had not met also had no problem moving straight into that home and waiting there as long as required until the danger was passed.

And I have been reflecting on who is my neighbour and who is my brother…  Christ tried to explain this to me twenty centuries ago.  He tried to tell me that everyone is my neighbour and anyone who is not against me is with me…

“But he wanted to justify himself, so he asked Jesus, ‘And who is my neighbour?’  In reply Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead.  A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side.  So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side.  But a Samaritan, as he travelled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him.  He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him.  The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. ‘Look after him,’ he said, ‘and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.’  ‘Which of these three do you think was a neighbour to the man who fell into the hands of robbers?’  The expert in the law replied, ‘The one who had mercy on him.’  Jesus told him, “Go and do likewise.’” (Luke 10:29-37).

And there in those words is my instruction.  I am instructed to love my neighbour and I am told that my neighbour is the person who I love and have mercy on.  And as I have mercy on my neighbour, so too will my Father, have mercy on me.  And this is because my neighbour is my brother in Christ…

And I am in great need of mercy.  Great, great need of mercy.

So I have to wonder…  Why do I find it so hard to love my brother…?

For with prayer, I stand on Holy Ground where everything is clear. Here. At the Foot of the Cross.